Press release
Kraft Heinz Announces Intention to Combine U.S. and Canada Businesses to Form the North America Zone
New structure is expected to take effect at the beginning of the second fiscal quarter of 2022 Carlos Abrams-Rivera, current U.S. Zone President, will lead
About this update from The Kraft Heinz Company
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nNew structure is expected to take effect at the beginning of the second fiscal quarter of 2022\n\n\nCarlos Abrams-Rivera, current U.S. Zone President, will lead the newly formed North America Zone\n\n\nRobert Scott joins Kraft Heinz as President of Research and Development – North America as part of structural changes\n\n\nBruno Keller, Canada Zone President, will become President of Latin America\n\n\n PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nThe Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC) (“Kraft Heinz” or the “Company”) announced today that it will combine its U.S. and Canada businesses to create the North America Zone, which is expected to be effective in the second fiscal quarter of 2022. The move is meant to advance the global food and beverage leader’s long-term, sustainable growth plans—which were first outlined at its Investor Day event in September 2020—by bringing increased agility to its innovation agenda, operations, and go-to-market approach. The Company’s U.S. and Canada businesses accounted for approximately 80% of its 2020 consolidated net sales.\n\nIn the last 12 months, Kraft Heinz has taken multiple steps to transform its overall growth profile, strategic focus, and financial flexibility, including divesting certain assets in its global cheese and nuts businesses. The Company has also centered its business around a consumer-first approach, significantly investing in its portfolio, digital solutions, customer relationships, and people.\n\nThe Company believes the creation of the North America Zone will further fuel Kraft Heinz’s vision to leverage its scale through improved agility for competitive advantage. Structural changes to support the strategic plan are aimed at streamlining and synergizing the U.S. and Canada businesses. This evolved model is expected to help the North America Zone pilot high-value products, processes, and service innovations, backed by the resources of the two countries, while also increasing speed to market.\n\n“As consumer, customer, and employee needs change, we must be in a position to anticipate, adjust, and respond with speed,” said Miguel Patricio, Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Heinz. “Combining our U.S. and Canada businesses—two dynamic Zones—gives us a distinct advantage and will produce faster, more effective results so we can continue investing in our strategic plan and drivin...